Day Eight - Marlow to Windsor

Day Eight I woke a little later this morning to afford myself a well deserved lie in. I had breakfast with husband and wife Ann and Geoff who were up from Jersey for the birth of their grandson. We had a nice chat about the walk and their golf trip and about the last time I had been to jersey. Elizabeth castle and the german underground hospital which there were telling me had been improved and was really good.  I settled my bill and made my exit before I talked with them past lunchtime. It was a walk back into  Marlow town centre before I could rejoin the Thames path. The going was much cooler today and trees shaded the path. The trees were bright green and I look high up the bank of the Thames to see  Cliveden looking down on me and the winding Thames. The Stanley Spencer gallery was along in the next village after passing through a small graveyard and between two white Tudor style buildings which made up the church houses.  A great deal of the Thames path now had huge houses with lawns stretching down to the river edge and showing off as much as possible. One posh house had very grand gardens and even had its own miniature railway complete with train station.  I was making good progress in the day until I arrived at the oath into Eton that was. I arrived at a large Olympic sign informing me that  Eton rowing lake was being used as an Olympic venue and they had therefore put a Thames detour in place! Arrgh a long gravel path round a freshly cut expanse of grass with nothing to see but a security fence. I was relieved when I finally got pack on the right path.  A few more bridges and there it was without any warning, Windsor Castle came into sight as if from nowhere. A truly impressive sight and a welcome relief to know it was only a few more miles to go. I hobbled up the hill into Windsor town and sat outside in a lovely cafe for a late lunch and cuppa. After a bit of shopping to buy myself an olympic pin badge I headed back to the river to walk the last four miles into Old Windsor and to find my hotel for the night.  The hotel was a last minute bargain and in fairness it was very good apart from one fact. I was arriving hot, sweaty, tired and dirty from a fifteen mile walk. I had walked into the hotel estate and the other guests were in smart cars and posh clothes. I made it round to reception which was hidden round a few corners. The lady at the front desk was asking for my car reg but I informed her I had walked to the hotel. "where from" she asked, and you can imagine her reaction when I said oh Marlow fifteen miles away! She proceeded to hand me a map, yes a map, of the hotel and said "I'm sorry it's a bit more walking". She was not kidding. My room was a good 1/4 mile from reception and I got lost twice! Not a hotel to have a drink in the bar. You may never find the way back to bed.  I had my evening meal in the hotel restaurant and the quality was excellent and really quite well priced. I had salmon in feilo and then a wonderful take on Blackforest gateaux yummy!